Gearbox Software’s co-op lootfest is back with a host of exciting changes to the first game's addictive formula.

The September issue of Game Informer contains 12 pages of exclusive details and screenshots from Borderlands 2, and outlines the numerous improvements the developer has in store for your return trip to Pandora. Don’t expect just a couple bazillion more guns this time around. Gearbox is introducing new and more diverse environments, smarter and more powerful enemies, and an improved mission system capable of delivering a better story. This and much more will be revealed in the story, as well as our full month of additional online content. The game is set for a release in 2K Games' fiscal year 2013, which begins April 1, 2012, and ends March 31, 2013.

Some key information from the various previews so far:

As in Borderlands, there will be four characters and 4-player co-op. The four characters will be new; the original Vault Hunters will return as NPCs. 2-player splitscreen will be able to go online. All vehicles will support four riders.

Classes retain the 3-branch skill trees, but will focus more on unique skills than stat boosts.

Save files can/will be stored in the "cloud," allowing you to access your character from any location. It's not yet clear if this will be mandatory for online play and what the ramifications are for gun duping and editing.

Story missions can be permanently failed through certain actions or by taking too long to complete the mission, which can then affect the plot.

Enemies will make better use of cover and can interact with and buff one another.

The weapon manufacturers from Borderlands will return, with the addition of a homemade "bandit" brand. Each brand will be more unique and distinctive in design, types, and capabilities. Class mods and elemental artifacts will return. A new Eridium currency will be used for weapon upgrades and character buffs.

The story...

Spoiler

takes place five years after Borderlands. The main antagonist will be a man named Handsome Jack, the CEO of Hyperion who became rich and powerful by plundering the contents of the Vault. His base of operations is believed to be on Pandora's moon.

Awesome! Call me crazy but one of the things I loved about the first installment was the fact that the story did suck. I know that sounds crazy, but it was nice to play a game with buddies where we could go looting, achievement whoring, and just have fun shooting things without anything in depth or having to deal with a lot of dialogue or cutscenes.
Also - I'm on the fence about dual wielding. I'm sure it will have it's benefits and drawbacks - ie not being able to look down the sites obviously. But who actually shot down the sites with most guns in the first game?

Awesome! Call me crazy but one of the things I loved about the first installment was the fact that the story did suck. I know that sounds crazy, but it was nice to play a game with buddies where we could go looting, achievement whoring, and just have fun shooting things without anything in depth or having to deal with a lot of dialogue or cutscenes. Also - I'm on the fence about dual wielding. I'm sure it will have it's benefits and drawbacks - ie not being able to look down the sites obviously. But who actually shot down the sites with most guns in the first game?

ALSO - I can't wait for more of that Gearbox humor!

Agreed it was the Diablo with guns game that made it into what it was. However I bet they'd do a better job with the pacing and end of the game since they learned their lesson the first time. I'm glad Gearbox supported Borderlands with a slew of DLC and I can't wait to play the sequel. I used the zoom feature, look down the sights to target the enemy's vulnerable spots, all the time. Just tap the zoom while firing and you'll just dominate. I bet if you were dual wielding the power or damage would make up for the loss of accuracy zooming onto an enemy.

I'm really excited about this announcement, but when I looked at the GI cover, I couldn't help but think of Crackdown 2. Either way, Borderlands was one of my top 3 games this gen, so I'll be getting this for sure.

Absolutely a day one purchase. Games like the first Borderlands are why it is still fun to play. This announcement may even spur me to finish the DLC. I only completed Dr Ned and some of the Secret Armory.

so I'm wagering a guess, the new box art that TRU won't advertise will be a bandit blowing his head off from both sides. (snickers)

great news. if there's another underdome riot DLC, I hope they at least have progress check points so it's not a 3-4 hour marathon where you pray your net connection doesn't fart.

If there is an Underdom riot in this one I want a story (something like a cross between the Warriors and Unreal Tournament), checkpoints, and better weapon drops! Every single weapon dropped during that was complete shit and I wasn't even using the low leveled host exploit.

you were basically paying for extra skill points and a bank in Underdome and some eye candy. considering everything else Borderlands related was awesome, I didn't mind Underdome riot so much. Granted there wasn't much story outside the cutscenes...especially since I bought it when it was on sale. It's a lot like the DA:O DLC that gives you armor and a storage chest.

better driving
more pieces to guns
more skills
maybe the ability to use all guns, but with a few tweaks/bonus/stipulation
better weapons drops/finds
HIGHER shields/weapon power
harder lower level enemies

#29
ZombieToast
He wears a disguise to look like human guys.
CAGiversary! 3061 Posts Joined 4.3 Years Ago

Nope. I didn't hate it by any means, but I really didn't enjoy myself. The humor was great and I enjoyed several of the characters and the way they told what little story there was. But I couldn't stand all of the constant backtracking and respawning enemies. I know it's a lot more fun when playing with a couple of friends, but having to kill hundreds of zombies over and over again by yourself is insanely tedious. If I could've turned the respawn rate WAY down, I think I really would've liked the game.

at least zombie brain collection was definite so long as you scored a crit on them, which was very easy. even a shotgun to the face could net you a brain. You get a zombie brain, you see your progress, you know how many more you need to complete the quest...and in multiplayer a concerted effort makes it less painful.

the random and ultra rare collection achievements in Clap Trap Rev is mind numbing, especially since there is no way to view your progress outside of marking it down physically to keep track.

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